Many students look forward to Dec. 31 to create a specific change in their lives to make a better year ahead with a start at a new beginning.

Modglin said he made a few resolutions for 2012, some that he succeeded in and some that didn't go quite as planned.

"I made a resolution to foster better relationships and fix burned bridges, (and) overall that was pretty good," Modglin said. "I also tried to stay away from fast food and eat healthier. Like everyone else, I caved."

Some students tend to create a goal to try to live a healthier lifestyle or stick to a new diet. This is a common trend for many resolutions.

"It just seems like everyone is doing it, which can be motivating," Momberg said.

Modglin said it is smart to make a goal that isn't completely impossible and to try to start something that will be fun and make a positive change.

Momberg said she understands how the new year can represent change and starting over.

"Just thinking back to Jan. 1 and to see everything that has changed since then," Momberg said.

Looking back and reflecting on all the changes that can be made in 365 days can be a powerful realization to some students. Clinton Township native Stephanie Cardaris said, on New Year's Eve, she looks back on what the past year has brought to her life.

"Whether it's happiness, sadness, adventure, triumph or hurt, we can fix those mistakes or take a chance we may have been too fearful to take," the junior said.

Cardaris said her past resolution for 2012 was to take more time to study and get better grades. She said it was hard to motivate herself to stick to it all year-long, but she did.

"It has been a lot of telling myself, 'I can do it,' but my resolution landed me on the Dean's list in the spring, and I was so proud of myself, and seeing my parents proud of me made me even more motivated to keep going," Cardaris said.

For some students, they see the new year as a time to fix past mistakes and use them as an example. Some might not, but it is still a great example of what not to do in the year ahead or see what worked.

"A new year resolution is another change; it's a redo for the past mistakes," Cardaris said.